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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - May 4, 2012
May 4, 2012
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Friday (05-04):
Today is traditionally "Star Wars" Day. "May the Fourth be with you" (Pause for huge groan).
By the way, in China and Japan, the number four (as in May 4th) is unlucky because the Mandarin word for "death" is pronounced almost identically. Eerily, in the U-S, the death rate for Chinese- and Japanese-Americans is 13 percent higher on the 4th day of each month (Source: Womans' Day magazine).The Airlines:
When the flight attendant says to power down your electronic device, she means it. Delta passenger GRANT CARDONE is in trouble with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for keeping his iPad open after takeoff.
According to ABC News, Cardone used his iPad to record video of birds hitting the plane after taking off from New York's JFK airport last month. (The plane made an emergency landing after the bird strike.) The FAA sent a harsh letter to encourage Cardone to follow regulations the next time he flies. (Page)Sucking the life out of the wire services:
Congratulations to TULISA CONTOSTAVLOS, who is officially the "Sexiest Woman in the World" --according to FHM magazine. The brunette bombshell is a singer and talent judge on the British version of "X-Factor" and quite proud of her latest achievement. Tulisa says it's a "true honor," a "lovely confidence boost" and admits the award will stay on her mantel for the rest of her life. Last year's winner, ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELY, wound up at number 18 this year --here's the top ten:
10. EMILY ATACK
9. MILA KUNIS
8. KEELEY HAZELL
7. MEGAN FOX
6. KATY PERRY
5. GEORGIA SALPA
4. ROSIE JONES
3. RIHANNA
2. CHERYL COLE
1. TULISA CONTOSLAVLOS (Lee)Today's police blotter:
Here's a case of hiding in plain sight.
The NY Post reports cops in Tampa, Florida, uncovered a marijuana-growing operation based out of a large planter across the street from police headquarters. Officers said they have no idea how the cannabis was planted there without anyone knowing. So far, there are no suspects.
Editor's note: But, there's been a huge uptick in sales at the police station vending machine... (Still)Movies opening this coming weekend (May 04):
As we mentioned yesterday, "The Avengers" is set to possibly make a record showing as it opens this weekend (it already had midnight showings last night for fanboys). It's already made $260.5 million overseas, and there's more to come.
If "The Avengers" passes $169.2 million in North America this weekend, it'll hold the all-time record for most money from a movie opening in the U-S, currently held by "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2." Fandango says the film has more than 1,000 showtimes sold out in advanced ticket sales, which is a pretty good start.
But whatever the case, if it passes $100 million, it'll still be in rare company, since Variety reports only 20 films have ever made it to those heights.Grace notes:
MICHAEL JACKSON is back, and he's drinking Pepsi. The beverage giant made a deal with the late singer's estate to use his image for a new worldwide marketing campaign. There will be new TV commercials, special edition cans with Michael's likeness on them, and chances to download remixes of some of his biggest hits. The campaign will kick off in the next few week to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Michael's album, "Bad."
FYI: It was back in 1984 that Michael's hair caught fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial. It's been said that the accident and his treatment for it began Michael's downward spiral of drugs and plastic surgery. (Marino) -
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